SIEC reminds electoral officials of core election values, increases manpower to deliver joint elections
ELECTORAL officers have been reminded that in order for elections to truly reflect the will of the people, they are to uphold the core values of integrity, neutrality, transparency, fairness and respect voter secrecy.
The reminder was issued by the Solomon Islands Electoral Commission (SIEC) Chairlady and Commissioner Taesi Sanga in her closing remarks at a three-day training for senior electoral officials in Malaita Province last week.
“For elections to truly reflect the will of the people, these core values must be upheld and they are; integrity, neutrality, transparency, fairness, and respect for the voter secrecy.”
The training for the electoral officers covers two significant parts of the electoral process. Part One covered Notices and Nomination, whilst Part Two covered Polling and Counting.
The senior electoral officials included the Malaita Election Manager, Provincial Accountants, Returning Officers for Constituencies, Returning Officers for Wards, Communication and Administration Officers, Training coordinators, and Awareness Coordinators.
As electoral officers, their mandate under the Electoral Act 2018, is an extension of the powers conferred to the Chief Electoral Officer under relevant provisions of the Electoral Act.
Mrs Sanga told them that SIEC is pleased that they will be participating in this very important exercise and that it is also grateful that they were chosen to sacrifice their time to serve the nation as election officials.
Meanwhile, SIEC is increasing its manpower to deliver the Joint Election on April 2024, therefore this training is paramount to prepare the provincial election officers for the task ahead.
The Joint Elections will see SIEC holding elections for all provinces except Western Province and Choiseul Province, Honiara City Council, and the National General Election on the same date.
SIEC has called on the public who wish to get more information on the upcoming Joint Election to contact this hotline number 842220 or follow the Polling Station Locator link https://solomonelections.net/stations.
SIEC continues to acknowledge the Australian government, New Zealand Government, UNDP – DFAT, and EU, Support, the Solomon Islands Government, and other donors who have helped fund this election exercise.
CEO Anisi also acknowledges the New Zealand Electoral Commission (NZEC), Australian Electoral Commission (AEC), and The Pacific Islands, Australia and New Zealand Electoral Administrators Network (PIANZEA), Electoral Management Bodies who have supported one way or the other.
The Electoral Commission is an independent and impartial permanent body established under the Constitution to promote and strengthen democracy in the Solomon Islands through the delivery of free and fair elections.
